The Clippers' Blake Griffin gets set to dunk after an alley-oop pass from Chris Paul during the first quarter Tuesday. SCOTT STRAZZANTE, MCT

CHICAGO – The Chicago Bulls have made a name for themselves by playing harder, tougher and better on the defensive end than just about anyone they face. And Tuesday at the United Center, the Bulls were fairly successful doing that.

The Clippers just did it better.

In picking up a 94-89 victory, the Clippers out-defended, out-grinded and out-toughed a strong team on its home court, stretching their winning streak to seven games.

"It showed that we are a defensive team," Chris Paul said. "We want our identity to be a defensive identity."

It's the Clippers' longest winning streak since the 1991-92 season, and a victory in Charlotte Wednesday would give them their longest streak since moving to Los Angeles in 1984.

Blake Griffin played higher above the rim than anyone else, scoring 22 points on an array of dunks, and Paul starred in the final moments, scoring on a big drive and making three free throws in the final minute.

The Clippers held the Bulls to 40.2 percent shooting from the field and forced 17 turnovers. And with the Clippers blowing some easy chances in transition, their defense held the Bulls at bay.

"We really never got our rhythm," Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. "We got some stops, but then we didn't convert very well on the break. We missed some easy shots. But we found a way to grind the game out."

Del Negro praised his team for getting the victory without having its best stuff.

"After we've had a little success over six games, coming on the road, we couldn't have a letdown," Griffin said. "Chicago is a tough team. These are the kinds of wins you need (to be a championship team)."

While the Clippers excelled defensively for large chunks of the game, there are still glaring shortcomings.

The Clippers, who have defended the long-range shot sporadically this season, let the Bulls — who shoot just over 33 percent from beyond the arc — get quality look after quality look early. They hit eight of their first 10. After the red-hot start the Bulls cooled way down, making just one of their next eight tries as the Clippers took control.

But a wide-open look for Marco Belinelli in the final minute cut the Clippers lead to two. However, Paul was able to get to the basket off the dribble, making his only fourth-quarter field goal before icing the game from the foul line.

For Paul and Griffin, it was the first time playing in the fourth quarter since Dec. 3 at Utah.

"They made tough plays," Bulls forward Taj Gibson said. "It seemed like we were in the hunt. We cut it down to a couple of points, but Blake and Chris made tough plays."

GRIFFIN HONORED

For the first time in his career, Griffin was named the Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging double figures in points and rebounds last week.

Del Negro said the individual honor is nice, but it's a byproduct of a more collective success.

"A lot of those awards are happening because we've started to win some games," Del Negro said. "The individual accolades, I don't think our guys care much about. A lot of those things happen when you win."

While Griffin's numbers and touches have gone down this season, his maturity has impressed Del Negro.

"You've got to go through it a few times," Del Negro said. "Blake's had to shoulder a lot of the responsibility the last couple years, but we have a different team, a deeper team, and he's done a very good job understanding that and sharing things."

NOTES

Forward Grant Hill took a step toward returning, as the veteran began running on his injured right knee. Hill, who hasn't played since the team's trip to China during the preseason, is suffering from a bone bruise. There's still no timetable for his return. ...

Chauncey Billups missed Tuesday's game because of peroneal tendonitis in his left foot. Billups hasn't played in the last week since returning for three games from Achilles' surgery. ...

While Paul is good friends with Belinelli, he didn't try to recruit him to Los Angeles this offseason during free agency. Paul, who played with Belinelli in New Orleans, said Chicago was a better fit for him.

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